f you’ve ever expected a stock-standard pop performance from Caroline Polachek, think again. The musician is known for creating sonic and visual last October, where she flicked through a slideshow of memes with a remote, dressed as a teacher while performing a song from her 2023 Grammy-nominated album, was inspired by Dada, cabaret and German expressionism. Consider it a masterclass on how to make a compelling impact, with Polachek imploring you to take notes. The multi-hyphenate released her solo debut album, in 2019 to critical acclaim, and 2023’s follow-up became her second Grammy-nominated work after being nominated as songwriter and producer for the track she co-wrote for Beyoncé in 2013. As a fashion muse known for her experimental take on femininity, she’s fronted campaigns for Loewe and Calvin Klein, while her buzzed-about tour came to Australia last month, where she flexed her opera-trained voice for fans at the Sydney Opera House. Here, Polachek shares other inspirations from the past and present.
